PLEASE NOTE

• Local delivery only within 25km of Eltham 3095
• These are live fish so you must be at home to take collection of your fish - we can arrange date/time after payment is made.
• Delivery up to 10km from Eltham 3095 is $12, delivery up between 10km and 25km of Eltham 3095 is $20
• Minimum purchase of $99 of fish (excluding any other products)
• If you would like to add other non-fish products to your order, please contact us for instructions as the checkout will only let you purchase fish if live fish are in your cart. (annoying, but we're working on a fix)
• Each fish will have unique markings and colouring but will look similar to the fish pictured.

Southern Pygmy Perch - Nannoperca australis

Pygmy Perch are a small native fish, found in a multitude of habitats all over Australia. They are quite hardy, great for mosquito control and tend to inhabit the lower half of the water column in a pond. They thrive in heavily vegetated areas within a pond and are tadpole-friendly making them ideal for an ecosystem pond shared by many inhabitants. 

Pygmy perch are not aggressive and are suitable in fish communities and can be mixed with other larger species. The dwell mostly at the bottom of water features however add quite a bit of interest when visible on sunny days.

Pygmy perch require areas of heavy vegetation to feel comfortable enough to breed so dense areas of surface cover with lilies and thickets of water reeds are recommended for this species. They enjoy the low flow of these areas. 

The natural diet of these fish include water crustaceans and bugs and surface dwelling insects. In captivity they will readily accept flakes, pellets and frozen foods.

The southern pygmy perch has striking red fins and black markings on its sides, and grows to a maximum size of 85mm long. Southern Pygmy Perch were formerly found in the Murray and lower Murrumbidgee River systems. There have been radical reductions in their range since the introduction of carp and redfin. Unfortunately, carp feeding habits reduce the water quality and redfin feed on smaller fish therefore eating many of the perch. Populations of Southern Pygmy Perch have recently been discovered in tributaries of the upper Lachlan and upper Murray River catchments.

Unfortunately as of 2019, Southern pygmy perch are on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation) list as near threatened, mainly due to habitat loss, introduced species and water damming and water management interference.

IMAGE 1: Male (Red fins)

IMAGE 2: Female (Clear fins)